Switch-point connector



C. P. BAKER. SWITCH POINT CONNECTOR. APPLICATION FlLED IAN. I9I6.

A I ff/AI Wgr@ I" 7 @mum/Roz "um *P when.;

fecsa 4 y l K I UUEIMODOBE P. BAKER, OFlLINCOLN, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T A. W. v BAKER, OF BROOKFIELD, MISSOURI.

SUVI'lGH-IPO-IN'I'.'` CONNECTOR.

To all whom z't may-concern:

Be it known that l, CoMMonoRn P. Baken, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Lincolinin the county of ,Benton-and State of Missouri, have invented newv and useful switch point for movement in unison..

The primary obje@ of the invention' is to provide a connector which` is adapted for coupling switch rails varying in width or distance between each other, or for adjustable connection with the rails to compensate for wear and maintain the required distance between the switch rails for an accurate and certain switch closing action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rod or bar having means for adspecicatin f Leiters raient.

Application le'd January 7, 1916. Serial No. 70,816.

Patented Aug. 8, 19156.

tions in the track bed. The outer extremities 6 of the end portions 5 form seats for the bases of the rails 1 and 2, and are provided with openings 7 and 8 respectively for connection with suitable switch actuating connections. (Not shown.)

Between the central portion 4 and each extremity 6 .each end portionv 5 is provided with a longitudinally` tapered locking portion 9 provided with arow of transverse parallel locking teeth 10 and an oblong rectangular bolt 11, disposed centrally of the `toothed surface and provided with a screw justable connection with' the switch rails,

which. means is adapted to be firmly applied to clamp the rails in proper'relative position. Y

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein fully described and claimed,

reference 'being had to the accompanying drawing in which n Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the application of the invention to the switch of the bar being, however, continuous in. the` Asame plane throughout, so. as to adaptthe rails; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the connecting rod and showing the rails in cross section.. F ig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through one end of, the rod and the fasteningmeans and showing the lrail in cross section. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on line 4 4 ott Fig. 3. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail perspective views of-one end of the rod, the tooth clamping jaw and the channeled retaining cliff.

- Referring to the drawing, l and 2 designate the point rails of a switch, and 3 my' 'improved rod or bar connecting the same for movement 'in unison. -As shown, 4the rod or bar 3 is provided with a central portion 4 of maj or depth or thickness, and `from which extend the end portlons 5 which are of somewhat less depth or thickness, the lower face sanieto move clear of all underlying porstem 12 formed with a transverse opening 13. The. toothed surface or locking portion 9 is adapted` for interlocking connection with a clamping plate or member 14. Thisplate is of oblong rectangular form and provided upon its underside with transverse V-shaped teeth to interlock with the teeth 10. At its outer end the plate 14 is provided .with an upright flange or jaw 16 to bear against the inner side of the web of the rail, said jaw having openings 1.7 therein Ifor the passage of bolts 18 connecting the same with the rail. The body of the plate 14 is provided with an oblong rectangular slot or opening 20 to receive the lug or boss 11, whereby said plate is slidably connected with the rod and held from lateral displacement.

It will be evident that by the adjustable l or other causes, so that a certain and posi tive closing of the switch point may be effected. When the rail is applied in position between the clip and clamping plate, it will be evident that it will be held securely against disconnection, so that the required distance between the rails mayA be maintained,rwhile.at the same time admitting of adjustment at any time to compensate for any looseness due to wear which may develop.

For the purpose of holding the parts more rmly and securely in position, I provide a sleeve 20 which is provided with an opening 21 for passage of the screw stem and is adapted to be fitted down upon the body of the plate 14 andsides of the locking portion :9 to coperate with the boss or lug to hold the plate against any tendency to shifting movement laterally of the rod due to the movements of the parts of the road bed and tothe jars and vibrations to which the track structure is subjected. This culi1 is engaged by a nut 22 which bears thereon and engages the screw stem to hold the fastening me1nbers assembled, which nut is provided with an opening 23 for registration With the opening 13, so that a Cotter pin or key 25 may be passed therethrough to lock the nut against displacement. This pin is adapted tov seat Within notches formed in the nut to positively prevent the nut from Working loose. It will thus be evident that the-switch rails .will be firmly held in 4proper relative posirod or bar having outer end portions formin g seats for the rails and toothed portions adjacent thereto, angular bolts upon said toothed portions provided with screw stems,

-fastening members having toothed surfaces to interlock with the toothed surfaces of the I rod or bar and longitudinally slotted for sliding engagement With the bolts, cutis apertured for the passage of said screw stems and engaging the sides of the toothed fastening members and the rod or bar, and nuts upon the screw stems and holding the aforesaid parts in position.

ln testimony Whereoi| I aiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

COMMODORE P. BAKER. Witnesses:

G. R. MoCANDLass, FRANK PARKER. 

